The Montreal Alouettes traded their football helmets for Santa hats this past weekend, bringing early Christmas cheer to families in need. On Sunday, November 30, 2025, several team members participated in Welcome Hall Mission's annual holiday gift distribution, helping spread joy to thousands of young children throughout the community.
Alouettes Players Become Holiday Heroes
Players including Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, Josh Archibald, and Geoffrey Cantin-Arku took on the role of Santa's helpers during the special event. They personally distributed presents to children, with Cantin-Arku even tossing around toy footballs while his hands were full of gifts. The athletes engaged directly with families, carefully selecting appropriate presents and ensuring each child received something special for the holiday season.
One particularly heartwarming moment featured a young boy named Gabriel, who initially seemed uncertain about gift suggestions from Adeyemi-Berglund and Archibald. However, with some patient guidance from the players and his mother Olena, Gabriel eventually found the perfect present that brought smiles all around.
Massive Community Impact
The scale of this year's event was substantial, with organizers expecting to distribute gifts to approximately 2,000 children aged two and younger. Welcome Hall Mission CEO Sam Watts was present to oversee the distribution, which represents one of the organization's significant annual initiatives to support Montreal families during the holiday season.
Beyond the Alouettes' involvement, volunteers from other community partners including Air Canada participated in the event. Air Canada volunteer Farah Merheb was photographed engaging with children and helping suggest appropriate gift options, demonstrating the broad community support for Welcome Hall Mission's holiday efforts.
Building Community Connections
The gift distribution provided meaningful interaction between the CFL players and Montreal families. Multiple photos captured Archibald and Adeyemi-Berglund consulting with parents about gift preferences, with one father giving a thumbs-up to indicate approval of a selected present. These personal connections highlighted the event's significance beyond mere gift-giving, creating memorable experiences for both the athletes and the families they served.
Two-year-old Josette was among the many children who watched with wide eyes as the Alouettes players distributed presents throughout the venue. The event successfully combined the excitement of meeting professional athletes with the magic of the holiday season, creating a unique experience that families will likely remember for years to come.
